Sakura Wars - Review Thread

Game Information

Game Title: Sakura Wars

Platforms:

  • PlayStation 4 (Apr 28, 2020)

Trailers:

Developer: Sega

Publisher: Sega

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 72 average - 46% recommended - 35 reviews

Critic Reviews

COGconnected - Michael Chow - 68 / 100

The soft reboot of Sakura Wars leaves much to be desired but it is an adequate experience that accomplishes what it ultimately set out to do.


Cubed3 - Sandy Wilson - 8 / 10

Quote not yet available


DASHGAMER.com - Dan Rizzo - 8.5 / 10

Yes, it may seem like a manifestation of all the quintessential traits seen in many title’s within it’s genre’s nature, but that’s what makes Sakura Wars awesome. Sakura Wars separates itself from being just another typical dungeon crawler; it breaks the mold and creates something unique, fresh and memorable.


Destructoid - Chris Moyse - 7 / 10

Sakura Wars represents an ambitious new start for the franchise, one that might not be to everyone's tastes.


Digitally Downloaded - Matt Sainsbury - 4.5 / 5 stars

From the perviest moments of fan service through to the most heart-wrenching moments of insecurity that each of the characters displays, Sakura Wars is by turns hilarious and touching, and covers a real emotional gamut.


GameMAG - Александр Логинов - Russian - 8 / 10

Sakura Wars has its drawbacks, and it is not only a weak combat system with forced battles in the championship, but also some templating, the length of some elements and spoilers-announcements between episodes. But all this is offset by deeply developed characters, beautiful animation and good humor. It is one of the best games of the genre in the last few years and the best that could happen to the series.


GameSkinny - Joshua Broadwell - 8 / 10 stars

Sakura Wars' unique LIPS system, thoroughly charming cast of characters, and great writing more than make up for its less than stellar combat.


GameSpew - Richard Seagrave - 7 / 10

A unique combination of genres, Sakura Wars is ultimately a compelling adventure that’s greater than the sum of its parts.


GameXplain - Loved

Video Review - Quote not available

Gameblog - Romain Mahut - French - 6 / 10

SEGA clearly didn't want to go all out with Sakura Wars. And it's a shame as the game will probably be most of Western gamers' first introduction to the series. The game has an interesting main story, fun main characters and and its steampunk backgrounds are beautiful. But the dating sim parts are a chore, there aren't enough action scenes and the game as a whole looks like a PS3 game. As things stand, Sakura Wars is probably destined to stay a niche franchise in the West. And that's too bad.


Gamer Escape - Michelle Kruse - 7 / 10

Those who already enjoy the series or this style of action-RPG meets dating simulator will still have a fun experience and find a good game to play here. Despite the faults with pacing or mechanics I may have discovered along the way, it won’t be enough to scare away this existing audience.


GamesFinest - German - 7 / 10

After years of hibernation, Sakura Wars finally returns to the scene and doesn't shy away from some fundamental changes. We still spend most of our time getting to know the new members of the new Flower Division, deepening our relationship with them, or even getting up close and personal with them. At the heart of Sakura Wars remains the compelling story of the Flower Division's rebuilding and return to its former glory. The plot consistently succeeds in the balancing act between funny anime humor and serious tones - a fact that is underlined by the successful staging and visuals. Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks in terms of game mechanics, because the adventure as well as fight passages have to struggle with their monotony at regular intervals. Keyword fight: these say goodbye to their tactical roots and open the door for an action-oriented Musou approach. These battles know how to entertain over long distances, but are again and again slowed down by rough control and lack of variety. And yet: Sakura Wars knew how to lure me to the controller again and again with its charm and offers anime enthusiasts a sensitive story, which will captivate for a good 30 hours, if you can overlook some technical shortcomings.


GamingTrend - David Flynn - 80 / 100

Sakura Wars is a great entry point to a fascinating series. If you wish Persona had a bit more action, you'll find exactly what you're looking for here. While the "sexy misunderstandings" are cringe worthy, the characters are fun to interact with and the giant robots are a joy to pilot.


God is a Geek - Lyle Carr - 8.5 / 10

An engaging tale full of twists and turns, with an interesting way of interacting with the narrative. If you can handle the slow pace and stomach the perverse moments, you'll find a stylish adventure with one of the best soundtracks of the year.


GotGame - David Poole - 8.5 / 10

Sega found a great way to bring Sakura Wars back into the world, and it deserves to stay. If you like anime, this one deserves to be on your radar.


Hardcore Gamer - Chris Shive - 3.5 / 5

Sakura Wars is a blend of adventure, visual novel, dating sim and action game.


Hobby Consolas - Daniel Quesada - Spanish - 78 / 100

It might look too shallow (and it probably is) in a first glimpse, but the representation of the characters is certainly charming. It's like giving life to a shonen TV show.


IGN Italy - Biagio Etna - Italian - 7 / 10

Made with care and potentially interesting even for those who do not know the mechanics that distinguish it, Sakura Wars has a charm all its own, without undeniable limits. The important thing, if you want to get closer, is to understand the thematic and gameplay that give substance to the whole experience.


IGN Spain - Luis López Zamorano - Spanish - 6.2 / 10

Sakura Wars doesn't finish fulfilling what was expected. Without being a disaster, its story is slow and its battles are too much simple. It builds on the popular LIPS system to deliver conversations that are the backbone of a game that can delight anime fans and no much others.


Niche Gamer - Frank Streva - 7.5 / 10

If you like the idea of an alternate 1940s with steampunk mecha, demons, and a harem of cute anime girls, then you’ll probably find a lot to like in Sakura Wars, despite its flaws.


Noisy Pixel - Azario Lopez - 8.5 / 10

Sakura Wars is an excellent reboot of the series and does right by the fans by subtly tieing in mentions of its predecessors without overburdening new players. The game is fueled by its strong narrative and passionate cast of characters who fight against-all-odds for what they believe in. Sure, some of the arcs don’t totally stick, and the romance can get a little messy, but it accomplishes the goal of giving fans a modernized Sakura Wars experience, without sacrificing what makes it unique.


PlayStation Universe - Garri Bagdasarov - 8 / 10

Sakura Wars is a great little gem. It's the perfect title to get into the franchise and see why it's regarded so highly in Japan. Sakura Wars has some incredible writing and character development, it's hard not to fall in love with everyone you meet in the world. It's just a shame the combat isn't on the same level and at times take the steam away from the fantastic narrative.


PowerUp! - James Wood - 5 / 10

Sakura Wars is a serviceable entry point for Western audiences but fails to deliver more than a modest take on what could have been a remarkable game.


Push Square - Robert Ramsey - 6 / 10

Sakura Wars is an entertaining fusion of dating sim elements and button mashing action, but it's held back by tired anime tropes and some disappointingly underdeveloped characters. The overarching story may be painfully predictable, but there's still waifu-chasing fun to be had here, and the combat is enough to keep the otherwise relaxed pacing in check.


RPG Fan - Nathan Lee - 85 / 100

The huge effort and perceived budget that went into this game shows, and Sakura Wars makes a triumphant return after a 14-year retirement.


RPG Site - Josh Torres - 7 / 10

The long dormant series returns with a brand-new cast and modern advancements to the Sakura Wars series formula that make for a promising reboot, despite some noteworthy missteps.


Screen Rant - Cody Peterson - 2 / 5 stars

Combat is repetitive and romance options are unsettling.


Spaziogames - Gianluca Arena - Italian - 7.4 / 10

As far as soft reboots go, Sakura Wars exceeded at semplifying too much its gameplay and streamlined the experience, cutting any RPG system and leaving just the dialogues to take the highlight.


The Games Machine - Danilo Dellafrana - Italian - 6.7 / 10

From a certain point of view Sakura Wars is an anachronistic game, made for a specific audience that has evolved over time. The ease and repetitiveness of the title's gameplay overwhelms the overall quality, despite good art direction.


TrustedReviews - Jade King - 3.5 / 5 stars

Sakura Wars is an enjoyable revival of the iconic series, presenting a fascinating blend of genres. Unfortunately, it far too often falls victim to tired tropes and writing which treats its excellent female cast as little more than objects. Still, if you're a sucker for engaging stories, wacky combat and a strange, unusual world I recommend giving Sakura Wars a try.


Twinfinite - Keenan McCall - 3.5 / 5

It won’t make many new die-hard fans of the property, but for those willing to give it a chance, there’s enough to give them hope that good things might be in the series’ future.


USgamer - Hirun Cryer - 3.5 / 5 stars

It's not going to be a memorable tale, but this Sakura Wars is an enjoyable adventure while it lasts.


VGChartz - Thomas Froehlicher - 6 / 10

Sakura Wars is a welcome, pleasant comeback, but a somewhat failed modernization.


Wccftech - Nathan Birch - 8 / 10

Sakura Wars isn't for everyone, but fans of quirky Japanese imports or those simply looking for something a bit outside their comfort zone ought to give it a shot. The game's action is run-of-the-mill, but its heartfelt character-driven story and polished anime-infused presentation largely make up for that. Sakura Wars may not win every battle, but it stands tall in the end.


We Got This Covered - Todd Rigney - 3.5 / 5 stars

When it wants, the Sakura Wars reboot can deliver excellent combat and a story that's both compelling and emotionally sound. Unfortunately, the game spends way too much time wallowing in cheap sophomoric humor to truly make the most of its strengths.


Thanks OpenCritic for the export!

submitted by /u/DaasthePenetrator
[link] [comments]

from top scoring links : Games https://ift.tt/3bJcJ3R

Comments